The final Underground Music Showcase has come and gone, leaving behind only sweet memories and music still ringing in the ears of those that showed up to bear witness. The weekend always feels special, but this one had an extra weight to it, a hint of melancholy lurking under the surface that ultimately ended up making the joys felt throughout the weekend feel that much more powerful. It was a celebration of Denver at its purest, its local music on full display alongside some of the biggest names in modern music while its people dressed to the nines and danced until their legs went numb. While it is sad to see it go, at least those memories remain as does the hope elicited from how vibrant this music scene is that the future, whatever is to come next, will be just as beautiful as that which has come before.
With hundreds of bands playing, it was an impossibility to see everything. Still, 303 Magazine‘s music desk has put together a list of 29 of our favorite sets we saw throughout the weekend so that we may comeback to them and relive them over and over.
Friday:
Barbara @ Get Loud Stage
By Thomas Rutherford
Barbara kicked things off for us and they set a hell of a tone for the weekend. Their set felt like unearthing something hidden deep within, a joy buried beneath years of life piling on. It created an early sense of catharsis that would pervade throughout the next couple of days, their fuzzy-soulful vibes instilling a kind of peace, comfort, throughout the crowd. It let them know that things that are loved never really come to an end. They instead become a part of you, shaping and changing you, building you into something a little more resilient, that joy becoming a kind of armor that will carry you into the unknown. As Barbara moved through songs off their two incredible albums, Escape Artist (2022) and SO THIS IS LIVING? (2025), the feeling that even though these moments are fleeting, these joyous occasions merely temporary, they just might last forever if we hold on to them tight enough. Barbara wrapped up with the eponymous track off SO THIS IS LIVING? and the crowd stood basking in sound, a little more resilient than they were before. It was an incredible set from one of this city’s most exciting bands.
MF Ruckus @ Illegal Pete’s
By James Lane
On Friday at Illegal Pete’s, Colorado’s own MF Ruckus unleashed a six-piece punk rock onslaught, channeling a raw, Viagra Boys-like edge throughout their set. It was their punk-fueled savagery that thrilled the packed patio. The band’s frontman stormed through tracks like “Balls of Steel,” leaping onto tables as a big crowd were captivated by what they were experiencing. Photographers chased his eccentric, action-packed moves, capturing his bond with fans who filled the space. The band’s gritty anthem “All My Heroes Are in Hell” ignited a sing along, while “Be Cool” hit with barbaric force. As local legends, MF Ruckus stood out for radiating kindness despite their badass stage presence, giving big thanks to their fans and highlighting the importance of the Denver music scene and supporting local music, local business and supporting yourself, showing how nice they truly are. Their Colorado roots and kindness earned them a rightful spot in UMS’s final spotlight.
DOGTAGS @ Get Loud Stage
By Thomas Rutherford
DOGSTAGS’ first set of the weekend was one overflowing with colors and flowers and sweet, sweet music. Before the band hit they stage, they and some techs redecorated it, adorning it with flowers and colors, scarves tied to microphones and bouquet’s galore. When they hit the stage, lead singer Regi Worles carried roses with him which he and the other members would pass out throughout the early songs of the set. It was a beautiful scene, witnessing a crowd full of people raising roses in the summer sun as they danced to some of the best music this city has to offer. DOGTAGS’ set really was one that sticks with you, the kind that reminds you that no matter how dark this world can get, there is always color and joy to be found, always love hiding around the corner. The music itself was incredibly deep, intricate, with Worles’ vocals shattering every person in that crowd’s very soul. They stuck mostly to their amazing new album ROSEWORLD but also found time for a vibe-y, stripped-down cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Since I Been Lovin’ You.” It was a set that all in the crowd will carry with them for a long time and yet another example of the indisputable fact that DOGTAGS is something special.
New Constellations @ Get Loud Stage
By James Lane
On Saturday, the Get Loud stage welcomed Portland’s New Constellations, whose indie pop radiance lit up the night with joyful energy. The duo, led by pink haired vocalist / synth player Harley and guitarist Josh, poured gratitude toward the crowd, visibly stunned by their journey to full-time musicianship in 2025. Between songs, Harley shared how “Hot Blooded” transformed their lives, while Josh echoed thanks for fans who embraced their small but growing catalog, crafted part-time until this year. When their synth failed during the final track, the duo rallied the audience into a hand-clap rhythm as Josh strummed and Harley’s vocals soared. A fan who drove hours to attend underscored the duo’s impact, cementing New Constellations’ spot in UMS’s final lineup for their endearing connection and vibrant, life affirming sound.
Sweet Pill @ Showcase Stage
By Thomas Rutherford
After starting the day mostly wrapping ourselves in positivity and love, it was time to get a little punk with it. Philly-based post-hardcore-emo band Sweet Pill really got things going in that regard. They ripped their way onto the stage and immediately the crowd raised fists to the heavens. Vocalist Zayna Youssef has this insane intensity to her, the look in her eye enough to start fires within everyone in that crowd. She made souls soar as the band moved through favorites like “Cut” and “Blood,” the emo in us all that never quite left us alive and well. It was yet another exercise in catharsis, a rallying cry for all those misfits in the crowd, bringing them together and doing what emo music does best: letting those that love it know they are not alone.
La Luz @ Showcase Stage
By Thomas Rutherford
La Luz exudes this aura of cool that pervades every note they play. They have a nonchalantness to them, an easiness that makes their music feel effortless even given its depth and complexity. Their music, largely instrumental but featuring sporadic vocals, washes through you, puts you in a trance. It allows you to let go of yourself and let the music carry you along. They alternated from the high-energy psychedelia of songs like “Floating Features” to the more dreamy-pop sensibilities of songs like “I Can’t Speak.” The set was an exercise in cool, gargantuan in its restraint. Night was beginning to fall by its end and it was the perfect way to usher in the stars.
Monica The Great @ Hi Dive
By Regan Bervar
Monica The Great lit up the stage at Denver’s Hi-Dive, bringing her dynamic energy and bilingual artistry to the packed, sweat-drenched room on a scorching 100-degree day. The venue’s intimate setting created the perfect atmosphere for her 40 minute set, opening with a soulful track in Spanish that set the tone for a performance steeped in cultural duality. Seamlessly weaving between Spanish and English, Monica delivered a powerful homage to her West Coast roots, blending raw emotion with storytelling. She’s a first-generation Mexican singer, rapper, and songwriter whose passion shines through in every lyric and phrase. Her music blends vibrant live horns and melodic guitar work, creating a rich backdrop for her dynamic vocals and bilingual storytelling.
Vinyl Williams @ Secret Garden
By James Lane
At the Secret Garden stage behind Wax Trax, hosted by the ever so awesome Kyle Hartman of Future Gardens, Vinyl Williams conjured a dreamy psych-rock spectacle that transported a packed crowd into an otherworldly headspace. Their set had a unique twist with a vibrant projector display of swirling colors and shapes, pulsed with meditative yet fun energy. Vinyl Williams’ signature reverb vocals floated through hits like “Feedback Delicates” and “Lansing,” culminating in a mystical, older track that erupted with loud, transcending feels. Plastic glowing palm trees adorned the stage, enhancing the nature-infused, magical theme. Vinyl Williams gave heartfelt thanks to Hartman, a UMS veteran and Future Garden Agency founder, while also shouting out tour mates Gold Celeste from Norway, who played after and shared a remarkable Lost Lake show the previous night. The food, drinks and giveaways added to the stage’s good vibes energy. Vinyl Williams gets their UMS shout out for their wandering, peace-filled sound that connects serene and explosive moments, adding to the reason why they are so beloved in Colorado.
All Them Witches @ Showcase Stage
By Regan Bervar
As night fell and the stage lights flickered to life, the energy inside the Showcase Stage surged. The crowd erupted the moment All Them Witches stepped on stage, ready to unleash their signature brand of gritty, psychedelic rock. Hailing from Tennessee, the band has a string of European tour dates ahead and no return to Denver on the books, making this performance a rare and essential experience. As their guitars roared and drums pulsed beneath a storm of strobe lights, the crowd started thrashing and swaying with cheers of excitement as each person fully immersed themselves in the hypnotic chaos.
Moon Magnet Cosmic Disco feat Erin Stereo, Bun Bun & Retrofette @ Prismonilyth Stage
By Regan Bervar
There’s something undeniably electric about a house music-themed silent disco, the kind of experience that gets you moving, sweating and losing track of time. Whether it was a clever workaround for the neighborhood’s sound curfew or simply a perfectly curated end to the evening, the night wrapped up at 11pm with three powerhouse DJs: Erin Stereo, Bun Bun and Retrofette.
Each channel on the headphones offered a distinct flavor under the umbrella of house music. Erin Stereo delivered dreamy, high-energy tracks with an ethereal flair. Bun Bun added a heavy twist with dubstep influences that shook things up, while Retrofette leaned into a funkier direction, layering groovy rhythms with bouncy drops and quirky tones. The result was a playground of bodies dancing and grooving with their own intuitive moves.
Los Toms @ Secret Garden and HQ
By James Lane
The Secret Garden stage welcomed Los Toms on Friday, who kicked off the festivities with a scorching psych-rock set, their dual drummers delivering a desert fueled frenzy. The band’s fervent vocals, sung in both Spanish and English, surged through tracks from their album Tube Theory, which came out earlier this year. “Ojos” brought a hypnotic, cactus-laden spell, while “Little Trolls Live in Trees” summoned steamy, sun baked madness. The crowd included local bands from this year’s Psych’s Peak Festival, co-created by one of Los Toms’ drummers, which boosted the communal spirit during their sets. Hours later, they delivered another blistering set at the UMS staple HQ Denver, solidifying their reputation for staging two incredible shows in one night. Los Toms deserve their place in UMS’s finale with their distinctive desert psych sound and dedication to Colorado’s music scene through their Psych’s Peak Festival.
Horse Bitch @ Hi Dive
By Regan Bervar
If there’s anyone who knows how to revive a crowd that’s been dancing under the blazing sun all day, it’s Horse Bitch. HQ Denver was completely transformed by the infectious energy of this seven-piece powerhouse (yes — seven!). The moment they hit the stage, the room erupted in movement, laughter and full-body dancing. With a magnetic stage presence and songs that practically command you to move, Horse Bitch had every eye and ear locked in. Their lyrics strike a perfect balance between quirky and relatable, delivered with a flair that’s entirely their own. One of the night’s highlights was their latest single, “Mountain Climbing,” which had the crowd literally skipping in circles with the Irish tone of the string instruments. From start to finish, the band held the room in a joyous, sweaty trance — proving once again that they are the one and only, Horse Bitch.
moonpool @ Hornet
By James Lane
At midnight on Friday, The Hornet hosted Denver’s moonpool, a trio whose spooky, 90s alternative rock inspired set plunged the packed crowd into a dark, castle-like soundscape. The vocalist and drummer, sporting tank tops that flaunted their muscular physique, kicked off with “Autumn,” arguably one of Colorado’s best local tracks of 2025. The band opened for Hoobastank in Cheyenne, Wyoming earlier that day, a wild feat they playfully acknowledged with a nod to “The Reason.” The band raced back to Denver for this incredible performance. Their new songs “Like You Do” and “Aim” carried an alternative, goth-tinged edge, with the band sharing their excitement between tracks. moonpool’s thriller-like music, evoking a shadowy, immersive room you can imagine hearing in an earlier Playstation version of a Tony Hawk video game, secured their place in UMS’s final chapter for their awesome tracks and dedication to traveling out of state and back to their home to play the last ever UMS.
May Be Fern @ Skylark
By Thomas Rutherford
May Be Fern closed down the Skylark on Friday night and goddamn, was it a party. That small little venue upstairs was packed to the brim with fans singing nearly every word, a testament to the mark this band has made on the local Denver scene. The trio, made up of bassist and lead singer Kate Fern, keys and vocalist Hannah Mayo and guitar player Maddie Spillman and featuring Adam Darby sitting in on drums, moved through favorites like “Blood Beach” and “Maggie Jane,” Fern’s soaring vocals shaking that very room along with the hearts of all in attendance. They initially ended their set with the heart-wrenching “I Can’t Cry” which was met with cheers but also chants of “10 more songs, 10 more songs!” This convinced them to do one more, a cover of Paramore’s “Still Into You.” It was the perfect end to a set that would end the night and a great way to get everyone ready for the next day.
Saturday:
Nico Tobón @ Prismonilyth Stage
By James Lane
Nico Tobón of Weird Touch spun a dark, disco house set under a vibrant, circus-like canopy outside at the Prismonilyth Stage, its colorful shade a welcome relief from the scorching heat, while his throwback dance mixes gripped the crowd. His beats, steeped in moody, dark house vibes, synced perfectly with DJ-mate Fancy Matthew’s simultaneous set inside FM Boutique, just a block away on South Broadway, where a cool, relaxing atmosphere came with free Topo Chico and mezcal practically on tap. As if their spirits intertwined across the close-knit venues, the duo’s parallel performances felt like Weird Touch took over UMS for a spectacular hour-long set. Tobón’s grooves kept the outdoor dance floor alive, blending nostalgic flair with a dancey cool. The vibrant, fun atmosphere solidified Weird Touch’s reputation as a must-see act in UMS’s closing days.
Kenny Cornbread and the Biscuit Boys @ Secret Garden
By Thomas Rutherford
Kenny Cornbread and the Biscuit Boys fuck. There isn’t any other way to say it. Truly it doesn’t get much more real than these guys. They hit the Secret Garden stage behind Wax Trax to overwhelming applause, the crowd decked out in cowboy attire and cut off shirts. It was a beer-soaked party, replete with Mr. Cornbread himself jumping into the crowd and dumping a couple beers all over himself Stone Cold Steve Austin style. The Biscuit Boys rip, each member with their names that were never given to them except by some higher (or let’s be honest lower) power, getting some time in the spotlight. Cornbread himself knows how to get people going, everyone there splashing beer around as they screamed their lungs out to such tunes as “Cold Beer Never Fucked My Wife,” “Football, Titties, Beer,” “The Devil” and a cover of sorts of “Dayman” from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It was a rowdy way to get the day going and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
Corsicana @ Hi Dive
By Pyper Tiffany
Ending their own nine-year run of sets at the Underground Music Showcase, Denver-based indie rock band Corsicana delivered their passionate and raw performance for the last time. Lead singer and guitarist Ben Pisano quickly reminisced on UMS’ 25-year-long run, highlighting their own sets over the previous few years. Making sure to get as much music played in their short set and not go over time, the band gave short and sweet remarks about how the lineup may have changed over time but the music, memories and companionship that UMS has brought them over the years would not be forgotten. After playing a few older and a few newer songs from the Corsicana catalogue, Ben introduced the rest of the band to the crowd, which was full of both new fans, long-time listeners and strangers simply looking into the Hi Dive after hearing Corsicana’s lush and entrancing sound escape through the front door. Sharing the stage with Pisano was guitarist/synth player Nicki Walters, bassist/synth player Jordan Leone and stand-in drummer Ryan Bannigan, with both Nicki and Jordan also providing background vocals for the group. Corsicana’s set was full of hazy, ethereal noises that flowed effortlessly out of each member’s rig, perfectly accompanying Pisano’s delicate and bright lead vocals. Audience members were entranced for 40 minutes straight, not losing focus on the band but rather closing their eyes, enjoying the sweet music entering their ears and swaying gently back and forth. Both audience members and band members walked out of the Hi Dive that Saturday evening feeling full of joy yet slightly melancholy, knowing that it would be the last powerful and excellent Corsicana UMS set for the foreseeable future.
The Photo Atlas @ Banded Oak
By James Lane
Local band The Photo Atlas stormed back with a Vans Warped Tour style sound, edged with a fiercer, aggressive bite that electrified their set. Vocalist and guitarist Alan Andrews Jr., the sole original member of the four-piece, was born to command the stage, galvanizing the crowd with a fist-raising “Hey, hey, hey” chant and a thunderous drum solo mid-song. “Seems like we’re having a good time,” he grinned, later tossing out, “What do you guys think, 2 more, 3 more?” before hyping their upcoming track “Just Keep Moving On.” Fans clapped in rhythm as Alan snatched a tambourine for the final song, shouting, “Thanks for rocking with us all these years! We love the UMS, sad to see it go, but let’s enjoy it now!” At Banded Oak Brewing’s parking lot on Saturday, the scorching heat was no match for the metaphorical cool of the band’s unity with their fans, driven by rad guitar riffs and pounding drums. After a long hiatus, these veterans of Tom Petty lineups and video game soundtracks returned with a 2024 EP, building on their 2006 debut album and 2009 EP. Their fierce comeback and deep Denver roots confirms their place in this final UMS.
Frankie and the Witch Fingers @ Get Loud Stage
By Thomas Rutherford
Frankie and the Witch Fingers’ set at the Get Loud Stage proved that their growing reputation as one of the best American rock bands working today is completely warranted. They wasted absolutely no time after hitting the stage before launching into the long and intricate opus that is “Empire.” By the song’s end, the first traces of what would grow into a crowd-wide mosh pit had begun to form. By the end of the second set, nearly everyone in attendance was pushing and jumping with sweet abandon, this writer included. It was a sea of smiling, sweating people forcing each other to move, love radiating from each push, each large shift of the tides. The band themselves were having a blast, ripping that stage apart and beaming out over that rowdy crowd with pride. Eventually, lead singer and rhythm guitarist Dylan Sizemore decided to join in, jumping into the crowd and crowd surfing while not skipping a word for almost an entire song. It was an impressive feat that hinted at the fact that this probably wasn’t his first time doing so. It was one of the rowdiest sets of the weekend that also served to help maintain some faith in humanity, a feeling that would carry on throughout the night.
Circling Girl @ Banded Oak
By Pyper Tiffany
With the sun softly setting beyond South Broadway Street and pink clouds illuminating the sky behind them, dream pop locals Circling Girl waited for their set to begin at Banded Oak on Saturday of the Underground Music Showcase. Though they were delayed due to some technical difficulties, the quartet did not let this ruin their serene vibe in preparation for the music they were about to deliver to the audience. Still buzzing from their opening slot for Denver alternative band DeVotchKa at Levitt Pavilion back in June, Circling Girl took the stage, beaming with energy. Listeners in the crowd turned heads after familiar notes were played in the first few seconds of their set, starting to realize they had heard this group before. Guitarist Alison Flynn’s striking and powerful guitar playing had everyone in the crowd immediately bopping their heads along to the rhythm, followed by drummer Noah Thomas’ steady but full-of-life playing behind the kit. Layers of texture were added to this ghostly soundscape by Isabel Daninger and Devon Wellborn’s soft vocals and synth melodies. The band continued to play as the sun dipped behind buildings along the street, providing a calm before the storm that is the Saturday evening of UMS. Circling Girl’s peaceful pop set was the perfect way to guide UMS goers into more rowdy electronic-based sets further down South Broadway that evening.
Vundabar @ Get Loud Stage
By Thomas Rutherford
Vundabar hit the Get Loud Stage slowly, enigmatically, carrying with them a presence not all three-pieces are able to convey. They started out almost hauntingly as the sun began to dip behind the stage. But this ethereal beginning quickly gave way to what would be an incredibly high-energy set, replete with another mosh pit made from the residual energy left over from Frankie and the Witch Fingers and picked up and multiplied by Vundabar. Frontman Brandon Hagen really knows how to work a crowd, calling for cheers between each song with a subtle wave of his hand and at one point ripping his over-shirt off which had the crowd screaming. It was a great way to kick off Saturday, the sun fully down by the end of their set and the night upon us, everyone in that crowd prepared thanks to Vundabar’s stellar set.
Boot Gun @ Skylark
By Thomas Rutherford
Boot Gun’s midnight set at the Skylark closed out Saturday night with a bang. Once again, that small little room upstairs at the bar became chaos, packed to the brim with people pushing and hugging each other in equal measure. The band left it all on that tiny stage, leaving it a crater by the time they were done. They moved through favorites like “Til’ It Ain’t,” “Get Movin’,” and “Everybody’s Talkin,” the latter of which had the crowd’s hands in the air making the universal “You’re talking to much” gesture along to the beat. It was chaotic, sweaty glory that ended a rowdy day on a rowdy note.
Sunday:
The Velveteers @ Showcase Stage
By Pyper Tiffany
The sun was beaming down aggressively onto those eagerly awaiting The Velveteers’ highly anticipated set at the Showcase Stage on the final Sunday of the Underground Music Showcase. The asphalt of the Goodwill parking lot heated up enough to be felt under the feet of audience members, but it didn’t faze them much as they were already dancing along to the DJ set, the predecessor for The Velveteers. Following a short soundcheck, the walk-on song for the trio began, and the crowd’s anticipation could be felt in the air, the excitement that was bubbling in anticipation of the set about to begin. Members Demi Demitro, Jonny Figg, and Baby Pottersmith all strut onto the stage with a confidence about them that was not only seen but felt. Demi strummed her baritone electric guitar with force, and the energy in the crowd exploded, excitement being released in whoops and hollers. The unusual setup of one baritone guitar player and two drummers often leads many to wonder what their sound is like. Still, after one song, listeners could understand that this arrangement was perfect for the trio’s energy and songwriting style. The three continued through their high-energy set, ripping songs from their most recent album, A Million Knives, and older tunes, as well. Familiar to the UMS stage and what it means to Denver residents, The Velveteers gave all that they had and pooled all their energy into what would be their last-ever set at the Underground Music Showcase. From the very first note to the last strum and hit from Demi, Jonny, and Baby, everyone was hypnotized by their electric energy and dynamic songwriting, leaving this performance as a fantastic ending to UMS 2025.
El Ten Eleven @ Showcase Stage
By Thomas Rutherford
The day was finally starting to cool off as clouds blocked out the sun almost in anticipation of El Ten Eleven’s set. When the band hit the stage, a kind of serenity moved through the crowd. You could feel tensions brought on by the heat and whatever else washed away as people opened themselves up to El Ten Eleven’s ethereal, undefinable sound. It really was a masterclass in musical inventiveness. The two-piece band were able to create such a full and powerful sound by rotating between and looping a handful instruments, including a double neck guitar that had twelve guitar strings on top and 6 bass strings on bottom. They are yet another trance-inducing band, one that had many with their eyes closed, their hands raised as if in worship. It was a much needed moment of calm that flirted with spiritual and no one that was there will be able to forget soon.
FIDLAR @ Showcase Stage
By Thomas Rutherford
Immediately following the moment of respite that was El Ten Eleven came what was probably one of the craziest sets of the weekend. As soon as FIDLAR played their first notes, it was on, the crowd erupting into probably what was the biggest pit of the fest. Almost the entirety of the Showcase Stage was engulfed by it as the band ripped through their catalogue, playing songs like “40 Oz. On Repeat” and “West Coast.” At one point the band, who were looking so happy and healthy and having such a good time, opened the crowd up for a girls-only pit with lead singer Zac Carper telling everyone “If you see a dude in there, fuck him up” which had everyone laughing and applauding. The only damper came when security put an end to the crowd surfing — which had been going on since the band’s first note — by kicking crowd surfers completely out of the stage as punishment. It came rather without warning and changed the set’s rather lawless feel into one a bit more cautious. Still, the pit went strong, the band played incredibly and it was one of the best sets of the weekend.
Pleasure Prince @ Skylark
By James Lane
The passionate duo Pleasure Prince captivated the crowd with a tantalizing, Daft Punk-inspired set, their chemistry hypnotizing fans in a playful, sultry dance. Kicking off with a smooth synth opener that faded into lush drums, the pair’s heavy eye contact and swaying moves showcased their deep connection to each other. “We’re Pleasure Prince, let’s keep it going Denver!” they declared, as distorted vocals and chiming cymbals on “Sherry with a Cherry” filled the air. “How’s it going? Nice and sweaty!” they teased, later joking, “Who’s not going to work tomorrow (Monday)? Raise hands, not me!” Their third song is an absolute gem, “Downside,” and the male-vocal-led “No Work Today” kept the vibe high, while other tracks sparked curiosity with playful keys. At Skylark on Sunday, the packed room grooved to their closer, “Dynasty Rich,” a seductive anthem with lyrics like “Welcome to my private yacht/ Endless Veuve and caviar” and “I want it/ I need it/ I got to have it,” their voices syncing in a chant. Pleasure Prince’s irresistible stage presence and ravishing sound made them a highlight of UMS’s final run at Skylark on Sunday.
Future Joy @ HQ
By James Lane
Zack and Emily of Future Joy, Denver’s rising pop prince and princess, set HQ Denver ablaze with a power pop extravaganza on Sunday night, exuding big, positive energy. Zack’s saxophone wailed and his vocals flowed, while Emily, gripping a diamond-studded microphone, owned the stage. The duo swapped roles at the synth and soundboard, occasionally letting tracks play to unite in synchronized dance moves. Their club-thumping covers, like an Ozzy Osbourne dub and “Pinky Pony Girl,” had the crowd singing along, while “Electric Love” sparked chants of “I’m here to stay” and wild jumps. “Come on Denver, put them up, let’s make this the best UMS ever!” they shouted, as Emily teased, “Would you like to hear a new song off our new album?” The room erupted like a volcano for “Winding Up,” a funky, bass-heavy dance anthem. Sporting chef hats, they kept the vibe electric, with glow-in-the-dark shoes and a fan’s flower-painted chest adding to the chaos. Future Joy’s star power and captivating, crowd-lifting energy made them a standout in UMS’s final chapter.
DevotchKa @ Showcase Stage
By Regan Bervar
DeVotchKa was one of the most anticipated acts of the weekend and they more than lived up to the hype as they closed out the final outdoor set of UMS with a powerful, emotionally rich performance. As the sun set and the final night of the festival settled in, their haunting, cinematic soundscapes cast a spell over the crowd.
Known for blending somber melodies with intricate instrumentation, the band wove together a set that felt like a journey, layered with heart-pulling lyricism and instrumentally unique sounds, making a tune that’s entirely their own. Formed in Denver back in 1997, the group expressed their gratitude to be playing back in their hometown after some time away.They ended their set, and the festival itself, with their iconic track, How It Ends, sending the crowd into a shared moment of eerie calm and euphoric closure. It was a fitting, unforgettable finale to a weekend packed with music, community and creatives.
Bud Bronson & The Good Timers @ Hi Dive
By James Lane
Bud Bronson & The Good Timers closed out the Underground Music Showcase’s 25-year run with a full-throttle party-rock explosion, hitting the Hi-Dive stage at 11 p.m. on Sunday and raging past midnight. Volleyballs and pink flamingos flew through the air, courtesy of two trash bags the band tossed to the crowd, stuffed with goodies from their UMS stipend. “Did you guys miss us? We haven’t played a show in the states in like three years,” the band shouted, shaking their hair and headbanging furiously. A third guitarist ripped into a rad solo, while an Ozzy banner and UMS flag framed the chaotic scene. The moshpit churned with members of nearly every band from this year’s lineup, joined by local DJs. The bassist, in vintage Broncos shorts, and the guitarist in an old-school Metallica shirt, led the charge as fans in Bud Bronson tees sang along. “You guys made it to the final level of UMS,” the frontman touted, acknowledging the historic moment. Stage dives and crowd surfing erupted, with two fans grabbing the band’s tambourine and riding the crowd’s waves. “For people crowd surfing, be safe, be nice to each other,” The frontman urged. Snippets of Ozzy Osbourne punctuated a few times throughout set, and a cover of Cheap Trick’s “Surrender” — with its “Mommy’s alright/ Daddy’s alright” refrain — saw a random fan leap onstage to sing a verse before diving back into the fray. The show ended past midnight with the band shouting out to “Support local music, support local artists!” The crowd chanted for an encore, but the band countered with “Dance party!” before passing the baton to the DJs. As the final notes faded, the band posed for a photo on the Hi-Dive stage, sealing the final chapter of UMS with a legendary, sweat-soaked bash.
Photography courtesy of Logan Leeper, Alyson McClaran and the artists.